Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP welcomes an extension of the NSW Government Drought Entitlement Maintenance Program to 2023 to keep teachers in rural schools.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell have announced an extension of the program, continuing the NSW Government’s support for regional communities hardest hit by drought and bushfires by locking in staff numbers at local schools.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP said the extension of this program which commenced in 2018 acknowledges the fact that student numbers have fluctuated due to the difficult conditions faced by families in regional NSW, posing the risk of decreasing staff numbers.
“This announcement reaffirms the commitment that the NSW Nationals have to providing stability for our students and keeping our regional communities strong.
“268 schools in regional and remote parts of NSW will benefit from the extension of this program, supporting schools to keep their staff regardless of fluctuations in enrolments.”
Schools currently involved in the Entitlement Maintenance Program will automatically have their staffing numbers extended. This means that schools won’t have to reapply for these positions.
MEDIA: Emma Brown | 6924 2533
